Breathing exercise device and method

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure generally relates to relates breathing devices that are positioned adjacent a user&#39;s mouth and a method for use thereof. A user blows into the breathing device and receives feedback in the form of air blowing on the user and/or visual stimulus.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/644,517, titled “Device for Teaching Therapeutic Breathing,” to Lesley Colette Miller, filed Mar. 16, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates breathing devices, more particular to breathing devices that provide feedback to user, such as children or other in need of behaviorally modification.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

On occasion, children exhibit behavior that requires modification. For example, children may lose their tempers and benefit from being soothed. According to the present disclosure, a breathing device is provided to assist with behavioral modification, such as soothing a child.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to the present disclosure, a breathing device is provided that includes a body, a channel extending through the body, the channel having a first end and a second end, a mouth piece positioned at the first end of the channel, and a spinner aligned with the second end of the channel to receive air blown into the mouthpiece by a user and spin relative to the body.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a breathing device is provided that includes a body, a channel extending through the body, the channel having a first end and a second end, a mouth piece positioned at the first end of the channel and configured to receive air from a user, and a flow path at least partially defined by the channel, the flow path being configured to direct air toward the user.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of using a breathing device is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a breathing device, positioning the breathing device adjacent a user's mouth, blowing into the breathing device, and directing air toward the user in response to the blowing step.

Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those having skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The aforementioned aspects and many of the intended features of this invention will grow to be appreciated at a greater level once references to the following accompanying illustrations are expounded upon.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a breathing device having a body, a sun-shaped spinner coupled to the body, and a mouth pieced positioned opposite the body,

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the breathing device of FIG. 1 showing a clip coupled to the body,

FIG. 3 is a front view of the breathing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is back view of the breathing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a top view of the breathing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a bottom of the breathing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a right view of the breathing device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 8 is a left view of the breathing device of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment breathing device

Equivalent reference components point to corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Unless otherwise indicated, the components shown in the drawings are proportional to each other. Wherein, the illustrations depicted are manifestations of the disclosure, and such illustrations shall in no way be interpreted as limiting the scope of the disclosure. For the purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. It will be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. The disclosure includes any alterations and further modifications in the illustrative devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the disclosure which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As shown in FIG. 1, a breathing device 10 is designed for use by those, such as children, that require emotional regulation, soothing, or have other needs. Breathing device 10 includes a body 12, a spinner 14 coupled to body 12, and a mouth piece 16. Mouth piece 16 is preferably integrally coupled to body 12.

In use, a user (not shown) holds breathing device 10 and places mouth piece 16 adjacent to their mouth (not shown). For example, mouth piece 16 may be positioned between the user's lips (not shown) so that a portion of mouth piece 16 is positioned in the user's mouth. Mouth piece 16 is narrow enough to fit in an average child's relaxed mouth and has a width 18 of about 1⅜ inches. Body is wide enough to avoid placement in an average child's relaxed mouth and has a width 20 of about 3⅛ inches.

Upon positioning breathing device 10 adjacent their mouth, the user blows into breathing device 10, causing spinner 14 to spin relative to body 12. As spinner 14 spins relative to body 12, it acts like a fan that blows air back at the user, providing sensory feedback in response to the user blowing into breathing device 10.

Body 12 defines a channel 22 (see FIGS. 3-6) that extends from a first end 24 adjacent to mouth piece 16 and a second end 26 that is aligned with spinner 14. Channel 22 directs air from the user toward spinner 14 during blowing as discussed above. Channel 22 in substantially centered in body 12 and is substantially cylindrical. Other positions and shapes for channel 22 may be provided.

Body 12 includes a pair of arms 28 defining a recess 30. Arms 28 support spinner 14 and positioned in recess 30. Spinner 14 spins about an axis of rotation 32. Channel 22 directs air from the user toward spinner 14 to an impact location 34 (see FIG. 1) offset from axis of rotation 32 to create pressure on spinner 14 that is offset from axis of rotation 28, creating torque that spins spinner 14.

While spinning, spinner 14 acts like a fan that blows air. A portion of the air blow by spinner 14 is directed back at user in direction 36, which provide sensory feedback to the user in response to the user blowing into breathing device 10. Channel 22 and spinner 14 cooperate to define a flow path for air. The portion of the flow path defined by channel 22 directs the flow of air blown by the user. The portion of the flow path defined by spinner 14 directs the flow of air pushed by spinner 14, which may or may not include air blown by the user. The air directed by spinner 14 is positioned opposite the axis of rotation 32 from impact location 34.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, spinner 14 has a first side 38 and an opposite side 40. First side 38 includes a first graphic 42 visible along a sight line 44 of the user when spinner 14 is in a first position relative to body 12. Second side 40 includes a second graphic 44 visible along sight line 46 when spinner is in a second position relative to body 12. When spinner 14 spins, first graphic 42 and second graphic 44 cooperate to define a whole graphic 48 visible along sight line 44 as spinner 14 spins relative to body 12. For example, first graphic 42 and second graphic 44 each include a pair of sunglasses 48. When spinner 14 is spinning, the user sees the sunglasses. Because of the speed at which spinner 14 spins, the user repeatedly sees sunglasses 48 at a high enough rate that sunglasses 48 appear to be ever visible, even though there are positions (and times) when sunglasses 48 are only visible at an angle or not visible at all. Additionally, first graphic 42 includes a first portion 50 of a smile and second graphic 44 includes a second portion 50 of a smile, which is opposite first portion 50 of the smile. When spinner 14 spins, the user sees a whole smile. Because of the speed at which spinner 14 spins, the user repeatedly sees first portion 50 of the smile at a high enough rate that first portion 50 appears to be ever visible, even though there are positions (and times) when first portion 50 are only visible at an angle or not visible at all. Similarly, because of the speed at which spinner 14 spins, the user repeatedly sees second portion 52 of the smile at a high enough rate that second portion 52 appears to be ever visible, even though there are positions (and times) when second portion 52 are only visible at an angle or not visible at all. Because first and second portions 50, 52 of smile appear to be ever visible, it appears to the user that the whole smile is ever visible. Together, sunglasses 48 and the smile (the combination of first portion 50 and second portion 52) cooperate to define a face. According to other embodiments, other combinations of graphics may be provided to define a face or other whole graphic. If the user doesn't blow fast enough, the whole graphic isn't readily visible. Thus, the user is rewarded by blowing fast enough by being able to see the whole image.

As shown in FIG. 4, breathing device 10 includes a clip 54 coupled to body 12. Clip 54 may be used by the user (or others) to clip device 10 to a piece of clothing, book (see below discussion), etc. to make device 10 readily available to the user.

In use, a user uses breathing device 10 by positioning device 10 adjacent their mouth. Next, the user blows into breathing device 10, which directs air toward the user in response to the blowing by the user. According to the preferred method, the user positions mouthpiece 16 in their mouth.

Breathing device 10 may be used in coordinate with a book or other materials. The book may include a story. Within the story are prompts that ask or remind they reader (or child being read the story) to practice using breathing device 10. Through the story, the reader (or child being read the story) learns that blowing into breathing device 10 makes use of device 10 feel calmer when they happen to feel mad, sad, frustrated, afraid, etc. Typically three to five breathes into device 10 are enough to make the user feel calmer. With practice (or otherwise), the user can learn to use breathing device 10 for calming with or without the book. When the user (or a caregiver) recognizes that a user is displaying inappropriate behavior, such as anger, outburst, etc., the user can use breathing device 10 to calm down to the point that the user's behavior is no longer inappropriate.

An alternative embodiment breathing device 110 is shown in FIG. 9. Breathing device 110 includes a hollow, tube-like body 112, a spinner 114 coupled to body 112, and a mouth piece 116. Mouth piece 16 is preferably separable from body 12 so that it can be replaced, if necessary.

In use, a user (not shown) holds breathing device 110 and places mouth piece 116 adjacent to their mouth (not shown). For example, mouth piece 116 may be positioned between the user's lips (not shown) so that a portion of mouth piece 116 is positioned in the user's mouth.

Upon positioning breathing device 110 adjacent their mouth, the user blows into breathing device 110, causing spinner 114 to spin relative to body 112. As spinner 114 spins relative to body 112, it acts like a fan that blows air back at the user, providing sensory feedback in response to the user blowing into breathing device 110.

Body 112 defines a channel 122 that extends from a first end 124 adjacent to mouth piece 116 and a second end 126 that is aligned with spinner 114. Channel 122 directs air from the user toward spinner 114 during blowing as discussed above. Channel 122 in substantially centered in body 112 and is substantially cylindrical with a curve.

While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practices in the art to which this disclosure pertains. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A breathing device including a body, a channel extending through the body, the channel having a first end and a second end, a mouth piece positioned at the first end of the channel, and a spinner aligned with the second end of the channel to receive air blown into the mouthpiece by a user and spin relative to the body.
 2. The breathing device of claim 1, wherein the body includes a pair of arms defining a recess and the spinner is supported by the pair of arms and positioned in the recess.
 3. The breathing device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is sized to be received in a relaxed mouth of an average child.
 4. The breathing device of claim 3, wherein the mouthpiece has a width and the body has a width substantially greater than the width of the mouthpiece to block insertion of the body into the relaxed moth of an average child.
 5. The breathing device of claim 1, wherein the spinner has a first side and a second side, the first side includes a first graphic visible along a sight line when the spinner is in a first position relative to the body, the second side includes a second graphic visible along the sight line when the spinner is in a second position relative to the body, the first graphic and the second graphic cooperate to define a whole graphic visible along the sight line as the spinner spins relative to the body.
 6. The breathing device of claim 5, wherein the first graphic includes a first portion of a face and the second graphic includes a second portion of the face and the whole graphic includes the face defined by the first portion and the second portion of the face.
 7. A breathing device including a body, a channel extending through the body, the channel having a first end and a second end, a mouth piece positioned at the first end of the channel and configured to receive air from a user, and a flow path at least partially defined by the channel, the flow path being configured to direct air toward the user.
 8. The breathing device of claim 7, further including a spinner positioned to receive air from the second end of the channel, the spinner cooperating with the channel to define the flow path that directs air toward the user when the spinner spins relative to the body.
 9. The breathing device of claim 8, wherein the spinner spins about an axis of rotation and the channel directs air from the user toward the spinner at an impact location offset from the axis of rotation.
 10. The breathing device of claim 9, wherein the air directed toward the user is positioned opposite the impact location relative to the axis of rotation.
 11. A method of using a breathing device, the method including the steps of providing a breathing device, positioning the breathing device adjacent a user's mouth, blowing into the breathing device, and directing air toward the user in response to the blowing step.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the positioning step is in response to identification of inappropriate behavior.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the positioning step is in response to a reading prompt.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the breathing device includes a body and a mouthpiece coupled to the body and the positioning step includes positioning the mouthpiece in the mouth of the user.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein in the air directed toward the use is separate from the air blown into the breathing device.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the breathing device includes a body and a spinner coupled to the body, further including the step of spinning the spinner in response to the blowing step.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the spinner performs the directing step. 